Honestly, the first time you see it, you might just think it's another indie-pop visual. But the pushing it down and praying music video isn't just "content." It’s a gut-punch. Released by Willow (Willow Smith), the track and its accompanying visual represent a massive shift in how Gen Z artists are tackling the intersection of religious trauma, sexual identity, and that suffocating feeling of trying to be "good" when your internal reality says otherwise.
It's raw.
There is a specific kind of tension that exists when you’re raised in a culture—religious or otherwise—that demands a certain version of purity. Willow captures this perfectly. The song itself is a high-energy, pop-punk-infused anthem, but the music video adds a layer of literalism that makes the metaphorical "pushing down" feel physical.
Most people don't realize how much the visual language of this video draws from 90s grunge and early 2000s angst. It isn't just about the music. It's about the aesthetic of repression. You’ve probably seen the clips circulating on TikTok or Reels, but the full video tells a much more coherent, albeit chaotic, story of a person trying to outrun their own skin.
The Raw Symbolism Behind the Pushing It Down and Praying Music Video
Willow has always been one to experiment, but this feels different. It’s more personal. The pushing it down and praying music video uses high-contrast lighting and frantic camera movements to mimic a panic attack. That's the core of the experience.
When we talk about "pushing it down," we’re talking about the suppression of desire. In the video, Willow is often framed in tight, claustrophobic spaces. It’s a visual representation of the closet, but also of the mind. You see her grappling with this internal "monster" or "shadow self" which, ironically, is just her own humanity. The "praying" aspect isn't necessarily a dig at religion as a whole, but rather at the use of prayer as a tool for erasure.
Think about the lyrics for a second. "Pushing it down and praying it goes away." It’s a repetitive cycle. The video reflects this through looped motions and frantic editing. It’s exhausting to watch, which is exactly the point. It’s supposed to feel like a workout for your soul.
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The Fashion and The Filth
Willow’s style in the video is intentional. It’s not "red carpet" Willow. It’s messy. Smudged makeup, sweat, and clothes that look like they’ve been lived in for three days straight. This de-glamorization is a huge part of why the video resonates. In an era of overly polished AI filters and curated Instagram feeds, seeing a major artist look genuinely distressed and "ugly-crying" through their art is refreshing.
Critics like Pitchfork and Rolling Stone have noted that Willow’s transition into this rock/alt space has allowed her to explore themes that her earlier R&B work couldn't quite touch. There’s a certain violence to rock music that fits the theme of spiritual struggle. You can't "pray away" the human condition with a soft ballad. You need drums. You need distortion.
Why Social Media Turned This Into a Movement
The pushing it down and praying music video didn't just sit on YouTube and collect views. It exploded because it gave a name to a feeling thousands of people couldn't articulate. On platforms like TikTok, the "Pushing it down and praying" audio became a shorthand for any time someone had to hide a part of themselves to fit in.
- People used it to talk about coming out.
- Others used it to describe the "masking" associated with neurodivergence.
- Some just used it for the sheer relatable vibe of trying to ignore a problem until it disappears (it never does).
This is where the SEO "magic" happens, but let's be real—it happened because the art was actually good. The video serves as the "source code" for these memes. When you watch the original, you see the pain that the memes sometimes mask with humor.
It's also worth noting the direction. The cinematography isn't trying to be "cinematic" in the Hollywood sense. It feels like a home movie filmed in a nightmare. The graininess, the shaky cam—it all contributes to the feeling that we are intruding on a private moment of crisis.
The Impact on the "Religious Trauma" Discourse
We have to talk about the "praying" part. Willow’s exploration of this theme coincides with a massive cultural shift where more young people are openly discussing the psychological impact of restrictive upbringings. The music video acts as a bridge. It doesn't mock faith; it critiques the misuse of faith as a band-aid for deep-seated identity issues.
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Psychologists who study religious trauma often talk about "cognitive dissonance"—the mental stress of holding two contradictory beliefs. The video is basically Cognitive Dissonance: The Movie. You see her trying to be the "good girl" while the "rock star" is screaming to get out.
Technical Details You Might Have Missed
If you watch the pushing it down and praying music video on a high-res screen, pay attention to the color grading. The blues are cold. The reds are aggressive. There is almost no "natural" light. Everything feels artificial, highlighting the unnatural act of suppressing one's nature.
Willow’s performance is also incredibly physical. This isn't just "singer standing in front of a mic." She’s throwing her body around. It’s a cathartic release. If you’ve ever been so frustrated that you just wanted to scream into a pillow, this video is the visual equivalent of that scream.
- The Choreography: It’s not "danced" so much as it is "convulsed." It looks like an exorcism.
- The Editing: The cuts happen on the off-beats sometimes, which creates a sense of unease.
- The Audio Cues: Some versions of the video include ambient noise that isn't on the Spotify track, making the visual experience unique.
How to Actually Process the Message
If you’re watching the video and feeling a bit overwhelmed, that’s normal. It’s a lot. But there’s a way to take the energy of that video and actually use it.
First, acknowledge the "thing." Whatever you’re pushing down—whether it’s a career change you’re scared of, a relationship issue, or a part of your identity—stop praying for it to "go away." Start praying (or meditating, or just thinking) for the strength to integrate it. The video ends not with a neat resolution, but with a sense of exhaustion. That’s the most honest ending possible.
Integration is the opposite of suppression.
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Actionable Steps for the Inspired Viewer
If the pushing it down and praying music video hit you in the feels, don't just close the tab and move on. Use that momentum.
Audit your suppressions. Take five minutes. Write down three things you are currently "pushing down" because you're afraid of what people will think if they see the real you. Just seeing them on paper takes away some of their power.
Engage with the community. Go to the comments section of the video or look up the hashtag on social media. You’ll find thousands of stories from people who felt exactly like you did while watching it. There is a weird kind of healing in realizing your "secret" struggle is actually a collective experience.
Explore the genre further. If the sound of this track resonated, check out other "emocore" or "alt-pop" artists who are doing similar work. Olivia Rodrigo, Maggie Lindemann, and even older acts like Paramore or Evanescence paved the way for this kind of "visceral vulnerability."
Practice radical honesty. Try to go one full day without "pushing it down." If someone asks how you are, and you’re tired, say you’re tired. If you disagree with something, say you disagree. It’s a small way to start living the freedom that the video advocates for.
The visual isn't just a marketing tool for a song. It’s a mirror. And while looking in that mirror can be uncomfortable, it’s usually the only way to see what needs to change. Stop pushing. Start looking.
Next Steps:
- Watch the official video on Willow’s YouTube channel to see the specific lighting cues mentioned above.
- Listen to the full empathogen album to understand the broader context of Willow’s current musical era.
- Document your own reaction to the lyrics—sometimes writing your own "verse" is the best way to process suppressed emotions.